Schönengrund: Hiking, village history and winter tours

Schönengrund lies in the Appenzell Hinterland at the foot of the Alpstein. At 1,275 metres, Hochhamm is considered the local mountain of the municipality. Different trails are central to planning your trip: they lead to historical sites, through local forests or up to Hochhamm. Seasonal activities for snow and cross-country skiing are also part of what the village has to offer.

Choose hiking trails by distance and theme

The hike from Schönengrund to Hochhamm is just under 10 kilometres long and takes about 3¼ hours. The Schönengrund Cultural Trail covers 7.5 kilometres, with 240 metres of ascent and a walking time of about 2½ hours. The two tours therefore differ both in distance and in the stated time. If you are looking for a shorter loop, the Story Trail offers another point of comparison: it is 5 kilometres long, takes about 1.5 hours and has 205 metres of ascent. The time estimates give you a guide for planning your day, but do not indicate how difficult the trails are.

The Schönengrund Story Trail is a circular route through local forests, featuring witches and demons. It showcases seven comics created by primary school pupils from the village. The illustrations are based on stories from the Schönengründler book and reflect the history of the village. The trail thus combines storytelling with a local connection. There are rest areas in several scenic spots, including a fire pit with seating.

The Cultural Trail focuses on architectural heritage. It leads to architectural witnesses to a turbulent history and rich past. The Appenzell Trail also passes through Schönengrund. Typical painted townhouses and numerous cultural attractions line the route. If you choose trails by theme, you can distinguish between village history, regional architectural heritage and the stories of the Story Trail.

Winter activities and seasonal conditions

A circular snowshoe tour from Schönengrund to Hochhamm is described for snowshoe hikers. It is classified as WT1 and involves 450 metres of ascent. The stated ascent time is 1:15 to 1:30 hours; this refers to the ascent, not the duration of the entire tour. Snow and seasonal availability are relevant to this tour. Check conditions before including it in your plans.

Cross-country skiing is also dependent on the time of year and snow conditions. The Schönengrund Cross-Country Skiing Centre has a total of four trails. One of them is a 1.8-kilometre night trail, illuminated until 9:30 p.m. If you would like to combine snowshoeing and cross-country skiing with a stay, plan around the winter conditions and check the availability of activities in advance.

Textile history and getting there

The history of weaving mills, embroidery businesses, spinning mills, printing works and bleaching works can still be seen in various buildings in Schönengrund. These include old houses with extensions as well as entire factory sites. In the first quarter of the 20th century, the village had numerous textile factories and a bleaching works, which employed a considerable number of workers. The school is another part of the village’s history: in 1861, Schönengrund became the first municipality in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden to introduce compulsory domestic science classes for girls. These topics complement the trails that explore the village’s architectural heritage and history.

Schönengrund can be reached by train and bus. Travel by train via St. Gallen and Herisau, then continue by PostBus to the village. It is worth checking the timetable when planning your journey. This lets you coordinate your travel with the hiking or winter activities that suit you, without confusing the stated walking and ascent times with the travel time to the starting point.

Discover more destinations: Waldstatt, Urnäsch, Herisau, Schwellbrunn, Stein, Hundwil.

Back to the main travel overview: Hinterland.